Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski and Cologne's German defender Rafael Czichos vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v FC Cologne in Munich, southern Germany, on Aug 22, 2021. (CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)

BERLIN - Bayern Munich clinched its first Bundesliga win of the new season after beating resilient Cologne at home in a five-goal thriller at the close of the second round on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Hoffenheim and Union Berlin shared the spoils following a two-all draw

The German record champions established a two-goal lead early in the second half, but Cologne bounced back with two quick goals within two minutes. Bayern had the last laugh as Serge Gnabry's second goal broke Cologne resistance.

Bayern took control from the starting whistle but couldn't do damage to Cologne's bulwark. Hence, Julian Nagelsmann's men could only produce half chances through Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller.

The hosts came to their best chance with 24 minutes played when Niklas Sule danced through Cologne's box before testing goalkeeper Timo Horn from close range.

Cologne defended well, kept the Bavarians at arm's length and took a goalless stalemate into halftime.

After the restart, Bayern assumed control and turned the dominance into a tangible reward as substitute Jamal Musiala assisted Robert Lewandowski, who made no mistake to break the deadlock from very close range in the 50th minute.

Bayern pushed forward and made two, nine minutes later after Gnabry tapped home Muller's dangerous cross to the far post.

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Cologne remained unimpressed and halved the deficit out of thin air only moments later as Anthony Modeste headed home Jonas Hector's pinpoint cross to shock the hosts.

The "Billy Goats" sparked to life again and restored parity two minutes later after Kingsley Ehizibue's cross found Mark Uth, who poked home the equalizer from a central position.

The titleholders needed some time to recover from Cologne's comeback and did so in the 71st minute when Gnabry's 17-meter hammer made it 3-2 on the scoreboards, taking the wind out of the visitor's sails.

"We lost a game that we shouldn't have lost. In the end, Bayern snatched the win on a single effort. My team played well and showed will. It was an entertaining game, I think," Cologne head coach Steffen Baumgart said.

"It is a good result, but it was a wild performance by my team. It was an offensively minded see-saw match by both teams. We still have to improve a lot of things," Bayern head coach Nagelsmann said.

Elsewhere, Hoffenheim and Union Berlin shared the spoils following a two-all draw. Niko Giesselmann opened the scoring for Union, but two goals from Kevin Akpoguma and Jacob Bruun Larsen turned the tides before Taiwo Awoniyi ensured the draw.